How to Protest Your Home's Value

If you live in Dallas County, you have until May 31st to protest your home's assessed value. So, if you feel like DCAD's valuation of your home is worth more than what you could actually sell it for in today's real estate market, then you should keep reading because you're paying too much money to the man.

The quickest way to protest your taxes is using the new uFile Online Protest. Here are some screenshots to help guide you through the process.

• Go to http://www.dallascad.org/ and search for your property 

• Type your name in the box as instructed and choose the property you want to protest

• Click on the uFile Online Protest link and follow the instructions

Click here for the full protest procedures located on their website. And if you'd like me to send you some comparable sales information in your area to back up your claims, shoot me an email and I'll do what I can to help out.

Don't live in Dallas County? Try one of these websites to learn more about your appraisal protest procedures.

Collin                      www.collincad.org
Denton                    www.dentoncad.org
Fannin                     www.fannincad.org
Grayson                  www.graysonappraisal.org
Hunt                        www.hunt-cad.org
Rockwall                 www.rockwallcad.com

Dallas County Sales Stats

Dallas County Sales Stats

January 1st, 2007 to March 10th, 2007

Sold: 3,789
Avg. DOM: 75
Avg. SF: 2,011
Avg. Sales Price: $208,099
Total Volume: $788,485,505

January 1st, 2008 to March 10th, 2008
(% Change)

Sold: 2,863 (-25%)
Avg. DOM: 85 (+12%)
Avg. SF: 1,984 (-1.5%)
Avg. Sales Price: $194,344 (-7%)
Total Volume: $556,407,923 ( -30%) *Many sales are not reported until months after they take place so this number will most likely increase over time.

I wish I had better numbers to report. But what does this mean for you? Nothing until you look at your specific neighborhood sales stats. Many older and established neighborhoods near downtown Dallas are experiencing price increases while many newer developments in the outlying areas within Dallas county are experiencing losses. Talk to your neighborhood Realtor before you go spreading that doom and gloom gossip.

Dallas and Tarrant County Make Forbes List...For Foreclosures, That Is

Dallas County came in at #21 out of 50 with 4.4% of the homes entering foreclosure proceedings having negative equity. (Read the full story here) Meaning the sales price will not cover the loan amount owed to the bank. Tarrant County represented at #36 with the same number (4.4%) of foreclosed homes having negative equity.

Although I'm not quite sure how we or why we made the list since #50, Pasco County, Florida boasts a whopping 15.7%.

I'm confused.